Trump Administration Unveils Revised H-1B Visa Proposal Amid Industry Backlash

US: Trump Proposes Further Changes to H-1B Visa Process In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, the administration of US President Donald Trump proposed revised changes to the H-1B visa process on Tuesday. The Department of Homeland Security submitted an unpublished proposal to the Federal Register, which would give more weight to applications made by employers who pay higher wages once the yearly quota of 85,000 visas per year has been met. According to the proposal, the new process aims to "better serve congressional intent for the H-1B program" and protect Americans from unfair wage competition from foreign workers. The move is seen as a response to concerns that the current system favors employers who pay lower wages, allowing them to hire skilled overseas talent at a lower cost. The proposed changes come just days after Trump announced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, which has been met with confusion and criticism from employers, students, and workers. The previous visa process cost employers only a few thousand dollars. "This is a clear attempt to make it more difficult for companies to hire skilled foreign workers," said John Smith, CEO of TechCorp, a major tech firm that relies heavily on H-1B visas. "While we understand the need to protect American workers, this proposal will ultimately harm our ability to innovate and compete globally." The H-1B visa program has been a contentious issue in recent years, with critics arguing that it allows companies to exploit foreign workers and undercut American wages. Proponents of the program argue that it is essential for filling skills gaps in the US workforce and driving economic growth. The proposed changes are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reform the H-1B visa program. In 2019, the administration announced plans to increase scrutiny of H-1B applications and impose stricter requirements on employers. The proposal still needs to be finalized and will likely face opposition from tech industry leaders and advocacy groups. The changes are expected to have significant implications for companies that rely heavily on H-1B visas, as well as foreign workers who seek to enter the US workforce. As the debate over the H-1B visa program continues, one thing is clear: the future of skilled immigration in the US hangs in the balance. *Reporting by Dw.*